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Kids make mistakes. All of them. It’s just a part of life. The parts of our brains that make decisions are not fully formed until the age of 25. Science has proven that a teenager’s brain just works differently than an adult’s.

Still, kids often face the same consequences as adults when they commit certain crimes. For instance, just this month, four teens were arrested for “tagging” dozens of buildings around Edgewater. The boys have been charged with felony criminal mischief and criminal trespass.

These boys have a long road ahead of them. If your teen is in similar circumstances — facing an arrest, charge, or conviction — now’s the time to fight for them. Because one mistake in Colorado could result in a lifetime of obstacles, limitations, and penalties.

Convicted Colorado Minors Can Face Huge Financial Ramifications

It’s expensive to commit a crime. Some crimes, like criminal trespass, usually come with fines or restitution that must be paid to victims.

Other crimes just rack up costs in legal fees and paperwork that must be submitted to the court. Time off of work could take away from your teen’s savings or spending money.

Expunction, or criminal record sealing, also comes with fees. This process can significantly help your teen overcome obstacles later in life by hiding their records or erasing their past mistakes, but you may have to wait over a year before you can apply.

Furthermore, all of these costs often come with interest charges. The longer you wait to pay off the costs of an arrest or a charge, the more you will have to pay.

CO Youth Offenders Struggle to Attend College and Find A Job

One way to get out of debt is to get a job. Your teen is more likely to land a higher-paying job if they go to college and get a degree. Unfortunately, a juvenile criminal record can prevent your teen from pursuing either course.

Admissions Rejection

Colleges are more likely to reject a student that has a felony conviction on their record. Even if your teen is accused of committing a minor or non-violent felony, they are going to face more rejection than their friends with clean records.

Financial Aid Restrictions

Don’t let your teen get discouraged. At the same time, be straight with them. You should both be aware that getting in is only the first hurdle. If your teen was convicted of a drug-related offense, they may face additional limitations.

The federal government requires former offenders to jump over a few more hurdles before they can qualify for financial aid.

Your teen may have to take drug tests and fill out an extra application – and they still might not be able to get help paying for college from the federal government.

Colorado’s “Ban the Box” Legislation Opens Some Doors

While felony convictions can severely affect a person’s ability to get a job, Colorado’s lawmakers are working to take a giant step forward.

In May, Governor Polis signed “ban the box” legislation. This new law says Colorado employers can no longer ask about an applicant’s felony record on an application. Translate: felons are no longer automatically rejected due to their felon status.

This opens a lot of doors for those who have served their time and now hope for a fresh start. Note, though, employers can still run background checks on individuals and reject them later in the process if they find a felony conviction.

When Colorado Minors Offend, Families Face Deportation or Eviction

Felony convictions don’t just impact your teen. Depending on factors such as citizenship and participation in governmental assistance, their mistakes can impact your entire family.

If you are currently in public housing, for instance, your teen and even your family could face eviction. Moreover, if your teen is not a citizen, a felony charge could also result in deportation.

Even when those aren’t factors weighing on your teen’s and your family’s future, the emotional impact itself can pose huge obstacles in moving forward.

Emotional Impact of a Youthful Arrest in Colorado

All of these barriers and experiences can have a significant impact on your child’s behavior. Rejection can affect any teen. Rejection from colleges, jobs, and opportunities that could help them in the future can really sting.

Keep an eye on your teen and have an open dialogue with them about what barriers they may face in the future. Your teen can have a second chance after a felony conviction, but you will both need to work for it. This fight requires preparation.

Reach out to a Colorado juvenile defense attorney for more information about how to defend your teen against arrests, charges, and convictions. An attorney can also help your family through the criminal record sealing or expunction process.

About the Author:

Denver-based criminal defense and DUI attorney Jacob E. Martinez is a knowledgeable and experienced litigator with a record of success providing innovative solutions to clients facing criminal charges of any severity. Mr. Martinez has been designated a Top 100 Trial Lawyer by the National Trial Lawyers and has been awarded both the Avvo Client’s Choice Award and Avvo Top Attorney designation, evidencing his reputation for his exemplary criminal and DUI defense work and high moral standards.